Daily Treasures

1 Corinthians 12:18
"...God hath set the members every one of them in the body as it hath pleased him."
So bloom in the ministry that God has given you.

1 Corinthians 15:57
"But thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
You can overcome the world, flesh, and devil...through Him.

1 Corinthians 16:13
"Watch ye stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong."
Don't give in. Thank God for your Man.

1 Corinthians 16:15
"...the house of Stephanas...they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints."
Jump in to the ministry of God with both feet.

Tucson Adventure

Our recent trip down to the sunny south west truly was an adventure as we crammed a week's worth of activity into four days. Amongst our family chats and "catching up", we were able to tour a little bit of the sandy landscape. Mom and I were able to run together and that was quite enjoyable as it is FREEZING up here. (I miss my morning runs :( sniff sniff)

A nice drive up to the mountains/hills for a picnic relieved us of the heat. Nothing like thick Steaks over the coals....yummo!!
We didn't even have to pack it in...ha ha!!
Brookie giving someone the look...surely it can't be me!

One of the curious critters inspecting our lunch.

During our mountain excursion we had time for a hike. Justin loves to hike as much as I do and he, Dave, and I took off down this area where the water flows down the mountain, I'm assuming during monsoons. The rocks are all eroded into very round and smooth shapes. It was very neat.

We toured a cowboy town full of things to eat, play, and buy. We did two of the three and had so much fun. They had banjo player on the corner of the street singing his little heart out. They also had a show put on by the cowboys, but it was too close to halloween for us to go to that. It was a blast. Justin has been playing indians since we got home.

Justin playing a "Shoot 'em up" game.

Look out she's got a gun!!!

All in all a very needed and pleasant trip. Sitting in the hot tub under the stars was one of the hightlights and the kids enjoyed the pool as well.

Thanks so much Mom and Dad for the fun time and memories made during our
"Tour of Tucson"
at the Anderson's Holiday Inn.

This was taken in the Boise airport just before our trip to Tucson Arizona. We went down to present my mom with a plaque and "graduation cap" as she has completed 2o years of homeschooling. My sister Tiffany was also going to be there at the same time and we knew that mom would love having us all together. Nick was there in spirit and we missed him very much.

He is in his element!!We had some time to kill before boarding the plane and these gadgets kept their attention the entire time.

Ready for take off. They loved taking off. We had a two hour layover in Vegas....oh yeah baby!!! Ahem, anyway the landing in Vegas was a little rough but they got through it and Tasha grinned the whole time.

School Projects

This is the stuff that memories are made of. Time spent learning "hands on". So here are our latest projects.

Little pots (gift from Grandma in Arizona...she will be able to plant hers outside). These little sprouts have since withered and died since we have no where to plant them, but we are planning on a little greenhouse in the spring so we can transplant. The kids were learning about trees and plants.

Along with learning about trees and plants, we also learned about soil and rocks. So I thought it necessary to make some rock candy. Here are the students and their frizzy headed sister picking out the colors of their choice for their rock candy crystals.

The end result....Oooo...shiny!!

Last....but not last, as I have many more projects planned, we preserved Autumn between wax paper and made frames for our colorful leaves. However, I do not have a picture of the end result since we gave them to one who needed them more....Grandma who lives in Arizona and has no Autumn. How sad :(

Bakers, beans, and other "B" things....

The morning ritual of "helping" with breakfast. I don't usually bother dressing her for the day till after breakfast. A good little baker. I believe this was pancake day.

She is enjoying this mess tooooo much. The happy little refried bean girl....doesn't believe in utensils.

The kids made this "barrier" to keep me out of the bedroom. I'll have you know I blazed straight through it with only minor damage.

This naked "belly" streaked away from her bath sporting nothing but a purple hat.

This "baby" has had it and hence....the "binki"

RS-POS

This is my hubby's office. Only five minutes from our house too. Tis a man's dream to have this many electronic gadgets in a garage at one time.


I'm so proud of him. I can't believe how much information he stores in his hunormous brain about all these registers and general computer problems. He is the computer whiz. I must say that it is very nice to have that kind of talent living in our home. Our computer runs like a top. Thanks Babe for all you do!!! :)

Morning Musings from a lazy bum

After arguing with the Lord this morning on whether I had the strength to get my carcass out of bed this morning, I finally emerged and began heating the water for my daily Peppermint tea and stone ground oatmeal. It is enough to get me going each morning and is desperately needed at five in the morning. I must admit however, that after my arguing, this morning was a later start. As I sat down at the kitchen table grumbling and mumbling to myself about the early hour and my general "yuck" feeling, I opened my Bible reluctantly, knowing full well that, with the state of mind I was in, I was sure to get a chastisement from the Lord. I knew I needed it, but I just didn't seem to care. Does anyone else have those days or is it just me? I guess I was just get weary of the daily fight and self takes over.

This verses jumped off the page and was just what I needed:
Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Being a servant to my family. I am saved and a new creature in Christ so maybe....just maybe...I SHOULD ACT LIKE ONE!! Ah, that daily crucifying of self. Never a pleasant experience, yet my entire day is miserable when I don't "die daily".

Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

I began to wonder...when I sow to my flesh (as I have been doing all week), what am I going to reap with my kids who are watching my every action and attitude. I've already had to deal with their attitudes this week as a result of mine own. I have not been sowing to the Spirit.

It was just interesting how this all came about this morning. I'm actually reading in Acts, but the Bible Reading Calendar said Galatians. I thought it was strange to interrupt Acts with Galatians, but God really spoke to me as I read through the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22. I decided to look them up. There were so many different descriptions and meanings listed, but these are the ones that stood out to me.


Love - to be pleased with, affection
Joy - happiness
Peace - harmony, state of reconciliation
Longsuffering - patient, not easily provoked
Gentleness - mildness, tenderness, sweet of disposition
Goodness - moral virtue, acts of kindness, charity
Faith - belief in God and what He can do
Meekness - humility, submission to divine will, without murmuring, opposed to pride
Temperance - moderation of appetites and passions, calmness

Needless to say I have yet another verse posted on my cupboard door. Seven major areas for me to work on and I am master of none. Just reading Old Websters definitions was enough conviction for a week of pondering.

And yet dear sisters and mothers...be not weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9) We shall reap a piece of heaven in our homes and the blessings of God when we walk in the Spirit. I'll pray for you if you pray for me that we will all be strong in this selfish day we live in. Don't let self reign!!